Employment Counsel

First Quality • Home Office (GA), GA

2d • Remote

About The Position

First Quality Enterprises is seeking a remote Employment Counsel to provide day-to-day legal support to the Human Resources team and business leaders on a variety of employment matters. The position reports to the Chief Employment Counsel and advises on issues across the employee lifecycle, including accommodations and leave, temporary labor compliance, background and drug screening, E-Verify and I-9 compliance, discipline and terminations, labor and independent contractor contracts, immigration, and cross-border business travel.

The Employment Counsel drafts and advises on company policies, agreements, procedures, and internal documentation; counsels stakeholders on compliance with federal and state employment laws; monitors regulatory developments; and develops and conducts training. The role also handles and advises on pre-litigation and litigation-related matters, assesses legal risk, provides practical business-oriented guidance, and manages outside counsel on employment litigation, immigration, legislation, policy development, and other matters. Travel to First Quality office and manufacturing sites is required.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in employment-law counseling and employment litigation.
• J.D. and active bar membership.
• In-house experience.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including FMLA, FLSA, ADA, ADEA, Title VII, ERISA, and state-law counterparts.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse internal clients and colleagues in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize competing work and independently manage a high-volume, varied workload.
• Ability to translate legal concepts for non-legal audiences.
• Collaborative and business-minded approach.
• Ability to drive change resulting from legal developments.

Nice To Haves

• Prior litigation experience.
• Workers’ compensation experience.
• Immigration experience.

Responsibilities

• Advise Human Resources and management on employment matters throughout the employee lifecycle, including accommodations and leave administration, temporary labor compliance, background and drug screening, E-Verify and I-9 compliance, discipline and terminations, labor and independent contractor contracts, immigration, and cross-border business travel.
• Draft company policies and advise stakeholders on implementing, interpreting, and enforcing them in accordance with best practices.
• Counsel on federal and state employment-law compliance and monitor regulatory developments.
• Update employee-related agreements and handle restrictive covenant matters.
• Review and draft policies, procedures, agreements, and internal documentation to support the Human Resources team.
• Develop and conduct training on legal developments.
• Handle and advise on pre-litigation and litigation-related matters, including employee complaints, accommodation issues, and wage-and-hour matters.
• Assess legal risk and provide practical, business-oriented guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Draft and negotiate employment-related agreements, policies, and internal documentation.
• Manage and engage outside counsel on employment litigation, immigration, legislation, policy development, and other matters.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities.
• Paid time off, with a three-week minimum.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Paid parental leave.
• Child and family care assistance through a dependent care FSA with employer match up to $3,750.
• A year’s worth of free diapers for team members with a new baby.
• Tuition assistance.
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree